Like most Canadian jewellers at the turn of the twentieth century, Henry Birks & Sons, of Montréal, sold pens. While they don’t often turn up today, occasionally we have one cross our repair bench. While a Birks pen is usually not of the highest quality, they are good, solid pens, usually with the nice flexible […]

Information is gold; sometimes more than figuratively. We came across a lovely Victorian pen catalogue in our favourite collection, archive.org. Titled, in fine Victorian fashion, History of the invention and illustrated process of making Foley’s diamond pointed gold pens with complete illustrated catalogue[ ] The first half of the book is an excellent catalogue of Foley’s […]

You may have noticed: we’ve been a bit quiet around here. But it’s for good reason. The pen business is booming in Canada, and in Toronto specifically. This, however, has had a bit of an impact on our online presence. Since Scriptus, last November (which is how we date things around here), we have been […]

We came across an interesting pen the other day, “in the wild”, which is to say in an antiques mall. Not exactly a beautiful pen: not in great condition, nor very valuable, in terms of dollar value. But a pen which is important for a couple of reasons. Some Background: the Parkette Deluxe The Parker […]

Today we will be exhibiting at the ARTiculations Vintage Pen Market, in the Junction neighbourhood of Toronto. We are happy to offer a flash sale of 25% off everything we have there. The Market is being held at Smash Salvage, at 2880 Dundas St W, in Toronto. Hope to see you there today, between 11 […]